"You dare——"
"Yes, I dare tell you, Thusis, how you have been deceived. Tino himself plotted this. Your orders are forgeries. Monsieur Venizelos never dreamed of inciting you to the activities in which you are now concerned——"
"That is incredible," said Thusis hotly. "I know who sent you here to check us and spoil it all—as though we were two silly, headstrong children! Tell me honestly, now; did not that—that gentleman in Rome give you some such impression of us?—that we were two turbulent and mischievous children?"
"I was not told who you were."
"But you were told that we are irresponsible and headstrong? Is it not true?"
"Yes."
"And you were sent here to see that we didn't get into mischief. Is it true?"
"Yes."
Thusis made a gesture of anger and despair:
"For lack of courage," she said tremulously, "a timid King refuses the service we try to render! We offer to stake our lives cheerfully; it frightens him. We escape his well meant authority and supervision and make our way into Switzerland to do him and Italy a service in spite of his timorous fears and objections. He has us followed by—who are you anyway, Mr. Smith?"